The tract of land on which the house and its grounds originally stood was purchased by Denver movie theater owner Harry E. Huffman in the mid-1930s. Huffman hired Denver architect Raymond Harry Ervin to design the structure, which he and his wife Christine wanted to replicate the fictional monastery featured in the 1937 film Lost Horizon. Ervin reportedly referred to the plans for the model constructed on the Columbia Ranchfilm set to produce his 1937 design. Construction was completed in 1938. The house was named Shangri-La after the fictional valley featured in Lost Horizon. The house was noted as one of the "finest buildings" in Denver in a 1939 survey by Architectural Record. The 1951 issue of Popular Gardening and Living Outdoors cited Mrs. Huffman's picturesque garden, which included a large section of four-leaf clovers. The house was initially located outside the city. Its original address was 13 Leetsdale Drive. Huffman and his wife hosted gala parties here, inviting many prominent guests from the business and entertainment worlds.
Subdivision of grounds
Beginning in 1962, the west lawn was subdivided and built up with additional upscale homes. These included Cableland, owned by Bill Daniels, which was bequeathed to the City of Denver for use as the official mayoral residence after Daniels' death. Shangri-La's circular drive was remapped as Shangri La Drive.
Later owners
Huffman's nieces inherited the mansion when he died in 1969. They sold it to David Rumbough, a 21-year-old student at the University of Denver who had toured the mansion along with nearly 10,000 other visitors during a 1971 Designer Show House tour benefitting the Children's Hospital Fund. Rumbough listed the house for sale after four years, but died in a boating accident before it was sold. The mansion was purchased from Rumbough's estate by A. Barry and Arlene Hirschfeld, both Denver natives. A. Barry Hirschfeld owned a printing company established by his grandfather in 1907 as well as a real estate firm; his wife is a committee member of many local boards and organizations.
Description
Shangri-La is a two-story mansion in Streamline Moderne style. The façade is white with "silver trim and accents". It is fronted by a two-story Art Deco entrance made of concrete and glass block. Inside the entrance hall is a sweeping staircase to the upper floor, as in the film model. The interior includes 13 rooms, with a total floor space of. The house is notable for having maintained its original architectural appearance and landscaping plan.
